Board of Directors

Francis P. Kavanaugh currently serves as Managing Director of Fort Ashford Funds, LLC, where he brings over 30 years of experience in real estate investment, business restructuring, and operational leadership to the firm. His primary focus is on managing strategic investments and driving long-term growth for the company’s portfolio.

In his past ventures, Kavanaugh demonstrated a unique talent for scaling businesses, most notably founding Force Protection Inc., a company he grew from under $1 million in revenue to a billion-dollar enterprise within six years. His entrepreneurial drive has also led him to create several successful Inc 500 companies, proving his knack for innovation and operational efficiency.

Kavanaugh holds a Bachelor of Science in Information and Computer Science from the University of California, Irvine, and an MBA from Pepperdine University. He swears that coding classes gave him his first gray hairs, but they were worth it.

Neil Farmer is the Founder of Farmer Properties, Inc., a real estate development company based in Richmond, VA. With over 30 years of experience in real estate development, Farmer has built a reputation for delivering projects that enhance community and economic value, overseeing the strategic growth of his company.

Before starting his own firm, Farmer gained extensive experience in property development and management, working in various real estate capacities and honing his skills across a variety of projects. His hands-on approach has made him a trusted name in the industry.

Farmer holds no official title for his self-taught education in construction troubleshooting, but he’s been known to give YouTube tutorials a run for their money.

Emanuel Neuman is currently Co-Founder of Spandrel Development Partners, where he brings his deep expertise in real estate development and investment management to guide the firm’s strategic initiatives. His primary focus is on investment strategies and large-scale development projects.

Neuman’s career spans 20 years in investment banking and real estate development, during which he advised on and invested in transactions exceeding $2.5 billion. Prior to co-founding Spandrel, he served as Co-Portfolio Manager at Unterberg Capital LLC and was a Vice President in the investment banking division of Collins Stewart, LLC. His ability to see the big picture has always made him a sought-after advisor in complex deals.

Neuman earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Babson College. His love of numbers is rivaled only by his love for spreadsheets—his true happy place.

David Lunin is currently the Executive Vice President and CFO Designate at Calumet Specialty Product Partners, LP, where he oversees the company’s financial strategy and manages key corporate transactions. His focus is on optimizing the firm’s financial performance and ensuring sustainable growth.

Prior to his current role, Lunin spent over 20 years advising on corporate financial matters and mergers, including as Managing Director at Goldman Sachs. His ability to navigate the complexities of high-stakes financial transactions has made him a valuable asset in the industry.

Lunin graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and holds an MA in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University, along with an MBA from Columbia Business School. Rumor has it, he once tried to write an economics paper entirely in Excel formulas.

A. Lee Finley is a current Director of GBank Financial Holdings Inc. and Bank of George, where he also serves on the Nominating Committee. With a long-standing passion for building companies, Finley is the founder of BrandFX Body Company, a firm that employs over 600 people across seven truck body manufacturing plants in the U.S. He also owns and operates a portfolio of companies, including BFX Fire, Pioneer Truckweld, and Real Fleet Services.

Finley’s business journey began in 1969 in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he launched his career in the utility equipment industry. Over the decades, his entrepreneurial spirit has led him to grow multiple successful enterprises. He relocated to Fort Worth in 1990 and has since become a prominent figure in the local business community, contributing to numerous charitable organizations.

Finley attended the University of British Columbia, where he majored in economics. A Canadian by birth, he became a U.S. citizen in 1993, but he still swears Canadian bacon is just as good as the regular kind.

Independent Director

Kory Kramer is a Partner at Eagle Four Partners, where he serves as its Investment Officer. With expertise in acquisitions, development, financing, and asset management, Kramer has spearheaded over $3 billion in transactions and financings. His work includes high-profile projects like the transformation of the Fashion Island Hotel into Pendry Newport Beach, the repositioning of the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa into VEA Newport Beach, and securing entitlements for The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Newport Beach. He also led the repositioning of the Denver Sheraton Downtown and the development of Element by Westin Reno Experience District.

Prior to joining Eagle Four Partners, Kramer was Chief Investment Officer at Pacific Hospitality Group, where he played a pivotal role in projects like the development of Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach, the expansion of Napa’s The Meritage Resort and Vista Collina, and the acquisition of iconic properties like Balboa Bay Resort and Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort on Poipu Beach. His career reflects a deep commitment to enhancing luxury real estate through strategic investments and innovative development.

Kramer earned his BA and MA from Boston College and holds a JD from the University of Notre Dame Law School. When not navigating complex deals, he enjoys time with his family, boating, politics, supporting AFC Bournemouth soccer, and traveling. He also serves as CEO of Pretorium, Inc., a private real estate investment and consulting firm, and previously served as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Newport Beach.

Independent Director

Marc Carlson is a Managing Director at 3 Points Partners, where he serves as a CEO advisor, board member, and strategic coach to leading technology companies. He also sits on the Board of Directors and serves as a Senior Advisor to the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University, continuing his work in global technology policy from his time as a Senior Advisor to the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment (2019–2021).

Prior to his current roles, Carlson was Vice President of Enterprise Sales and Chief Customer Officer at DocuSign, where he played a key role in scaling the company’s operations from 2011 to 2018. Before that, he served as CEO of Microposite, a clean technology materials company, and was an early employee at Ariba (now SAP). He began his career as a robotics engineer at General Motors, working at GMF Robotics (now Fanuc Robotics), which remains the world’s largest robotics firm.

Carlson earned both a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Management from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Outside of business, he and his wife manage a multi-state real estate portfolio and lead annual mission trips to Peru, where they support community development projects. When he’s not advising tech leaders, he’s usually building something—whether it’s a business, a home in Peru, or the perfect excuse to avoid yard work.